Sir: As the debate on whether the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should bear arms continues to trend, the organisation has defended its call for some of the personnel to be protected against growing threats to their safety.

The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, stressed that this measure is not intended for routine traffic control but as a protective tool for specially trained squads tasked with safeguarding FRSC facilities and personnel in dangerous situations.

According to him, many FRSC officials are increasingly exposed to violent motorists, some of whom deliberately attack or knock them down while carrying out patrol operations. The Corps Marshal explained that without the necessary power to enforce safety laws, it becomes difficult to manage high-risk situations such as stopping trailers overloaded with passengers or vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

Some FRSC operatives have lost their lives while working tirelessly to ensure safer roads. Protecting these men and women is both a moral and institutional obligation. Violent road users, including reckless drivers and those involved in criminal activities, pose an increasing risk, hence arming FRSC operatives will curb this.

Since the FRSC Establishment Act already empowers the Corps to bear arms, what remains crucial is the training and discipline of a designated squad to handle firearms with professionalism, thereby preventing cases of misuse or accidental discharge that have marred other arms-bearing agencies. With adequate training, proper supervision, and accountability, the risks of abuse can be minimised while the safety of operatives and the public is maximised.

At its core, this call is about valuing human life. Every FRSC officer who dies in the line of duty leaves behind grieving families and communities. Equipping them with the means to protect themselves and enforce safety laws is not just a matter of policy, it is a matter of justice.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with road safety challenges, empowering the FRSC to bear arms may prove to be a decisive step in saving lives, securing national infrastructure, and ensuring that those who risk their lives daily to keep our roads safe are not left defenseless.

Tochukwu Jimo Obi, a road safety advocate,wrote from Abuja.